ISLAMABAD:
Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday condemned the 27th Amendment as an “attack on the constitution” and “Pakistan’s 9/11” as the opposition alliance announced the launch of a nationwide protest campaign to resist “the direct attack on the foundations of the state”.
At a joint press conference in Islamabad, alliance leaders, including nominated Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, nominated Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Nasir Abbas, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and others, declared that they would not allow parliament to function until the amendment was withdrawn.
Achakzai, who heads the alliance, likened the move to a national tragedy. “On a public holiday, an attack on the constitution has been launched. This is Pakistan’s 9/11,” he said.
“We came here knowingly and willingly. A wretched cabal has taken power without a choice.” “We are patriots. I have taken an oath five times to defend this constitution. False propaganda is being spread to mislead the public,” he added.
Achakzai called for immediate mobilization and announced the beginning of a mass movement from Sunday evening. “This attack on the country’s foundation will not be tolerated. One individual’s strength will not save Pakistan,” he said.
“Parliament will not be allowed to stand. When school children stand up for their rights, will you fire bullets at them? You fired at Tehreek-e-Labbaik [Pakistan] workers … why?”
He claimed that the movement’s first slogan would be raised at 8.30 pm: “Aisay Dastoor Ko Hum Nahin Maante” (“We reject such a constitution”).
“Our campaign will begin tonight. We have no personal enmity with anyone,” he said, adding that jailed PTI chief Imran Khan’s supporters had also called for a movement.
In a statement issued later, TTAP announced that a national consultative conference would be convened in Islamabad this week, inviting representatives from all sectors of society.
The statement said a black day would be observed across the country the day after the “false approval” of the 27th Amendment.
“People will wear black armbands and lawyers will wear black armbands in courtrooms to register their protest,” the announcement said. It added that “we expect conscientious judges to voice their concerns,” while calling for a “new social contract” for Pakistan.
The Alliance also announced plans to form committees to build public opinion, engage trade organizations and consult with members of the legal fraternity. “The justice system is being dismantled. Lawyers will play a key role in this movement,” it said.
The statement further added that the delegations would meet retired Supreme Court and Supreme Court judges to discuss the implications of the amendment.
